Lion Jumps Into Car And Kills American Tourist In South African Safari Park

A young woman was killed by a lion on Monday after it jumped through her car window in a safari park.

The American tourist was taking photos of the animal while at the Lion Park in the Lanseria/Honeydew area of Johannesburg.

It is believed that a lioness bit the 22-year-old after the passenger window was left open. A man in the car was injured while attempting to push the lion off his companion.

Scott Simpson, assistant operations manager at the Lion Park, said: "According to the witness it walked quite slowly to the car and stopped roughly a metre away.

"The lady was busy taking pictures of it. The lion then lunged at the car and it bit the lady though the window.

"Our staff immediately rushed over to chase the lion away and the gentleman that was driving sustained some injuries to his arms trying to get the lion out aswell.

"Our staff chased the lion away and we immediately called for an ambulance... [it] was her within minutes but unfortunately while they were treating the lady she did pass away."

This is reportedly the third attack at the park in the past four months.

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A screen shot of the Lion Park's website

On its website, the Lion Park guarantees "super close-up animal views", but rangers are quick to add that they make it clear to visitors that windows should stay closed.

Mr Simpson said: "We make it so clear. We put signage up everywhere that people must keep their windows closed. We hand them a slip of paper when they enter the park, I really don’t understand why people think its okay to leave windows open," reports the eNCA website.

He confirmed that the lion would not be euthanised.

The US Embassy in South Africa said they would not be releasing any details of the woman and offered condolences to her family.

Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the deceased in this sad incident.